How to Access Healthcare Services in Thailand

Sawasdee ka from the land of smiles!

It is hard to believe but this rotation has almost come to a close. Thailand has given us all an amazing educational opportunity to learn from both our own healthcare in America and theirs. Being here has allowed us the opportunity to learn from a different, newer healthcare system while reflecting on our own back in the states.

Many times myself and the other students have discussed the Thai universal healthcare system but what happens to people when they become ill? Well, if you are living in Bangkok then you go right to the hospital when you are sick. In Bangkok there aren't primary care doctors offices, only the doctors in the hospitals. If you go to the hospital then you anticipate waiting for numerous hours in the waiting room before you can be seen. If you have a chronic illness such as tuberculosis or HIV then on certain days of the week you will go to a clinic held at the hospital. These clinics are a one stop service, meaning you will see a nurse, doctor, dietitian, and a pharmacists all on the same day in the same office. It is important to note that patients are assigned a specific hospital that they should go to. It is this hospital that they pay a minimum yearly payment to so then if they do go to the hospital it is free.

However, if you are living anywhere outside of Bangkok then your process is a little different. This stepwise process begins with first seeing your local healthcare volunteer to discuss your sickness. If they think you need more medical attention then you can go to the local clinic that is run by nurses. From there you can then be referred to the district hospital to see a doctor. However, these hospitals do not have a lot of resources available to them so sometimes you can then be brought to a provincial hospital.

It is important to note that for any patient who would prefer to pay more they can be seen at private hospitals, which are not covered by the Thai UC. But these private hospitals are generally used by tourists and foreigners. Even with a healthcare system that seems easier to understand than that in the states there are many patients who do not know what to do when they are sick or if they require more frequent care.

Learning about these different health systems it makes me wonder what I would do if I were traveling abroad in a foreign country and required medical attention. In these cases you worry not only about not knowing the health system but also about the potential language barrier. Since most of the hospitals in Thailand are public they do not necessarily have the resources for translation and not everyone speaks English. Many people love to travel abroad but looking into healthcare isnt exactly the firs thing on someone's mind when planning a vacation.

These are things that I know I will ne concerned about in the future, not only because of my interest in healthcare but also for my own safety. Thankfully, the students and myself did not require medical attention further than a short discussion with a local pharmacists.

Thank you for reading! Until next time,

Casey